Following vs. Followers — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 15, 2024
Following refers to the act of tracking someone's activities or updates on social media, whereas followers are individuals who subscribe to someone's updates or content.
Difference Between Following and Followers
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Following typically involves an active decision to subscribe to or receive updates from a particular user's profile on platforms like Instagram or Twitter. This act can be unidirectional, where the follower does not necessarily receive the same attention in return. On the other hand, followers are those who have chosen to connect in some way with another user’s profile, receiving updates and notifications about their posts or tweets.
While the term "following" indicates a list or number of profiles one has chosen to follow, it is more about the user's own engagement and interaction with other profiles. Conversely, "followers" refer to the count or group of people who have decided to follow a specific user, highlighting the user’s reach and influence.
The process of increasing one's following is often strategic, involving content creation, engagement, and possibly even promotional activities to attract more visibility. Whereas, increasing followers typically depends on the content's appeal and the creator's ability to engage with the audience, influencing them to subscribe or follow.
In terms of social media metrics, "following" is seen as an indicator of a user's interests and how active they are in engaging with others' content. On the other hand, the number of followers is often viewed as a metric of popularity or credibility, impacting how others perceive the value of the content or the influencer.
Regarding user experience, a high "following" count might imply curiosity and diverse interests, as it shows a user explores a variety of profiles. However, a high count of "followers" suggests that the content is valuable or appealing, drawing a large audience to subscribe and stay updated.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Act of subscribing to someone’s updates
Individuals who subscribe to someone’s updates
Implication
Indicates user’s activity and interests
Indicates user’s popularity or influence
Strategy for Increase
Involves engagement and content curation
Depends on content appeal and engagement
Metric Importance
Shows user’s engagement level
Shows popularity and perceived value
User Experience
Reflects curiosity and diversity of interests
Reflects content value and appeal
Compare with Definitions
Following
A list of individuals or accounts one chooses to receive updates from.
Her following list includes many prominent writers.
Followers
A group of people who receive updates about someone’s activities.
Her followers are always eager to see her new posts.
Following
Subscribing to the updates of a user on social media.
She is following several fashion bloggers to keep up with the latest trends.
Followers
Subscribers to a user’s profile updates and postings.
Gaining followers has helped her network grow significantly.
Following
The act of observing or monitoring updates regularly.
Following her favorite author ensures she never misses a new book release.
Followers
The audience that regularly interacts with someone’s shared content.
His followers often share his posts, increasing his reach.
Following
Following is a 1998 independent neo-noir crime thriller film written and directed by Christopher Nolan. It tells the story of a young man who follows strangers around the streets of London and is drawn into a criminal underworld when he fails to keep his distance.
Followers
Individuals who subscribe to another person’s social media.
He gained a thousand followers after his viral video.
Following
Coming next in time or order
In the following chapter.
Followers
A metric of popularity and influence on social media.
Celebrities often have followers in the millions, highlighting their widespread appeal.
Following
Now to be enumerated
The following people will report for duty.
Followers
One who accepts the guidance, command, or leadership of another
A follower of Gandhi.
Following
Blowing in the same direction as the course of a ship or aircraft. Used of wind.
Followers
One who has a strong interest or pays close attention to something
A follower of new developments in technology.
Following
A group or gathering of admirers, adherents, or disciples
A lecturer with a large following.
Followers
A machine element moved by another machine element.
Following
The item or items to be mentioned next
Please buy the following.
Followers
Plural of follower
Following
Subsequent to; after
Following dinner, brandy was served in the study.
Followers
A group of followers or enthusiasts
Following
Coming next, either in sequence or in time.
See the following section.
Following
About to be specified.
The following words have no definition...
Following
(of a wind) Blowing in the direction of travel.
The following wind sped us on our way.
Following
After, subsequent to.
Following the meeting, we all had a chat.
Following
A group of followers, attendants or admirers; an entourage.
He had a loyal following.
Following
Vocation; business; profession.
Following
(with definite article, treated as singular or plural) A thing or things to be mentioned immediately after.
The following is a recommendation letter from the president.
The following are the three most important questions.
Following
Present participle of follow
Following
One's followers, adherents, or dependents, collectively.
Following
Vocation; business; profession.
Following
Next after; succeeding; ensuing; as, the assembly was held on the following day.
Following
In the field of a telescope) In the direction from which stars are apparently moving (in consequence of the earth's rotation); as, a small star, north following or south following. In the direction toward which stars appear to move is called preceding.
Following
A group of followers or enthusiasts
Following
The act of pursuing in an effort to overtake or capture;
The culprit started to run and the cop took off in pursuit
Following
Going or proceeding or coming after in the same direction;
The crowd of following cars made the occasion seem like a parade
Tried to outrun the following footsteps
Following
In the desired direction;
A following wind
Following
Immediately following in time or order;
The following day
Next in line
The next president
The next item on the list
Following
About to be mentioned or specified;
The following items
Following
The act of tracking someone’s activities online.
His following of indie musicians helps him discover new music.
Following
Engagement with content across various platforms.
His following of different artists showcases his eclectic taste.
Common Curiosities
Can you see who is following you and who you are following?
Yes, most social media platforms allow you to view both your followers and who you are following.
How can I increase my followers on social media?
Engage with your audience, post consistently, and share content that resonates with or entertains your audience.
Does having more followers mean better social media success?
Generally, yes, as more followers can mean greater influence and reach, though engagement quality also plays a crucial role.
Why do some people have high following but low followers?
This might indicate they are more interested in consuming content than creating content that attracts followers.
What is the difference between following and followers on social media?
"Following" refers to the profiles you choose to receive updates from, while "followers" are individuals who receive updates from you.
What is the significance of "followers" in professional settings like LinkedIn?
On LinkedIn, followers can indicate professional credibility and network reach, important for career and business opportunities.
What role do followers play in monetizing social media accounts?
Followers are crucial for monetization, as they represent the potential audience for advertisements and sponsorships.
Are followers always real people?
Not necessarily, as some can be bots or inactive accounts, particularly if the followers were gained through inorganic means.
How can following the right profiles impact my social media strategy?
Following relevant and influential profiles can provide networking opportunities and insights into industry trends.
Is it better to have more followings or followers?
It depends on your goals; more followers often suggest greater influence, while a diverse following can indicate broad interests.
How does following affect my social media experience?
Your following list determines the type of content you see in your feed, influencing your overall experience.
What does a high follower to following ratio indicate?
It often indicates higher popularity or influence, suggesting that many people are interested in the user’s content relative to how many they follow.
Do celebrities generally follow back their followers?
Celebrities typically have more followers than they follow, often not following back due to the high number of followers.
Can losing followers impact a social media profile’s credibility?
Yes, losing followers can negatively affect a profile’s perceived popularity and influence.
Is it important to regularly clean up who I'm following?
Yes, regularly updating your following list can help keep your feed relevant and engaging.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
